Bicycle Repair

One of the wonders of cycling is the simplicity of the machine itself; many common repairs can be done with basic tools and an internet connection. Further, most components can be had quite cheaply: a new pair of tyres can cost as little as ten pounds, and lightly used parts can often be obtained secondhand quite easily. The bicycle can be approximately subdivided into mechanical groups: the frame, the wheels, the brakes, the gear groupset(s), the seat, the handlebars/cockpit, and the crank assembly. While this page is by no means exhaustive, it will provide some guidance for the most common repairs which one it likely to require in the course of moderate cycling. As it is an independent, employee-owned company with relatively low prices, Planet X is a recommended source for parts.

Replacing an inner tube

Equipment needed: tyre patch and rubber cement compound or a new inner tube, tyre levers, air pump, tyre spanner/wrench.

Difficulty level: 1/3

Steps:

1. Remove the affected wheel using spanner, or quick-release levers if your bike is so equipped.
2. Using your tyre levers, remove the tyre from the rim of the wheel, positioning the wedge ends of the levers within the rim about 15 cm apart, and prying them both up.
3. Using care, slide the levers around the rime until the tire bead is entirely off of the rim. Repeat for the other side of the tyre.
4. Remove the lock ring from the valve stem (if applicable), and then remove the punctured inner tube and locate the puncture
5. Apply rubber cement to the puncture area, then apply a rubber patch of the appropriate size to the area, pressing down firmly.
6. Let the patch and cement cure, then replace the inner tube within the tyre.
7. Replace the tyre bead on the inside of the wheel rim. Use tyre levers to replace the tyre onto the rim.
8. Re-inflate the tyre, then replace the wheel onto the frame forks.

GCN how-to video

Replacing a tyre

Equipment needed: new tyres, tyre levers, air pump.

Difficulty level 1/3

Steps:

1. Remove the wheel using spanner, or quick-release levers if your bike is so equipped.
2. Using your tyre levers, remove the tyre from the rim of the wheel, positioning the wedge ends of the levers within the rim about 15 cm apart, and prying them both up.
3. Using care, slide the levers around the rime until the tire bead is entirely off of the rim. Repeat for the other side of the tyre.
4. Remove the lock ring from the inner tube valve, then remove the inner tube from the old tyre. Place the inner tube within the new tyre.
5. Replace the tyre bead on the inside of the wheel rim. Use tyre levers to replace the tyre onto the rim.
6. Re-inflate the tyre, then replace the wheel onto the frame forks.

GCN how-to video